UIUC Investment Management Academy’s Post

Yesterday TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy while Chili's is thriving, and the difference comes down to three things: #value, #innovation, and a little creative spark. Chili’s cracked the code on the value equation, offering menu items that are more than just affordable—they’re designed to deliver on taste and quality in a way that keeps customers coming back for more. But it’s not just about pricing; Chili’s hasn’t shied away from innovating. Look at their fresh approach to menu items like the upgraded Fajita lineup and new items aimed at bold flavor trends. While other chains hold onto what once worked, Chili’s is making moves that resonate with today’s tastes. Then, there’s the genius of partnering with Mischief @ No Fixed Address , which is bringing an edge that’s hard to ignore. It’s a partnership that injects Chili’s with cultural relevance, connecting with guests beyond the food on their plates. From playful social campaigns to spot-on brand personality, they’ve managed to make a chain restaurant feel unexpectedly…cool. At a time when others are falling behind, Chili’s is proving that to succeed in casual dining today, you’ve got to innovate, engage, and most of all, understand the value customers are really looking for." #retail #leadership #food #hospitality

WALL STREET on YOUR STREET -- Under the category of you-have-to-be-kidding, surge pricing for hamburgers is coming to a Wendy's near you. CEO Kirk Tanner shared in a conference call this month, “Beginning as early as 2025, we will begin testing more enhanced features like dynamic pricing and daypart offerings, along with AI-enabled menu changes and suggestive selling,” Hmmm ... "suggestive selling." A new business-school phrase I suppose. #wendysisnuts https://lnkd.in/e-4z5yA3

Texas Roadhouse is sizzling with success, bucking industry trends and achieving a standout 9.3% increase in same-store sales, thanks to savvy operational upgrades and a keen focus on everyday value. Texas Roadhouse posted a notable 9.3% increase in same-store sales for Q2 2024, driven by a 4.5% rise in traffic and a 4.8% increase in average check size. This growth continues into Q3 with an 8% rise. The chain's success is attributed to enhanced back-of-house technology, including digital order management and mobile access for employees, which improves efficiency and staff satisfaction. Lower commodity costs and a well-staffed workforce further bolster its strong position in a challenging market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/eh9CeFni Restaurant Dive Julie Littman Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast #hospitality #food #restaurants #marketing Sammy Vela Wayne Jones Raymond Day Michael Crawford Gina Tobin Brad Scheiner Hernan Mujica Shane Broadway Kathleen (Kathy) Widmer

It's concerning to see One Table Restaurant Brands, the parent company of Tender Greens, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development underscores the challenging landscape the restaurant industry continues to navigate post-pandemic. It’s a critical reminder of the importance of agility and innovation in sustaining business operations. I’m curious to see how the company restructures and adapts moving forward. What are your thoughts on the impact of such financial challenges on the restaurant industry?

Texas Roadhouse is sizzling with success, bucking industry trends and achieving a standout 9.3% increase in same-store sales, thanks to savvy operational upgrades and a keen focus on everyday value. Texas Roadhouse posted a notable 9.3% increase in same-store sales for Q2 2024, driven by a 4.5% rise in traffic and a 4.8% increase in average check size. This growth continues into Q3 with an 8% rise. The chain's success is attributed to enhanced back-of-house technology, including digital order management and mobile access for employees, which improves efficiency and staff satisfaction. Lower commodity costs and a well-staffed workforce further bolster its strong position in a challenging market. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/egg_mkjc Restaurant Dive Julie Littman Branded Hospitality Ventures Hospitality Hangout Podcast #hospitality #food #restaurants #marketing Sammy Vela Wayne Jones Raymond Day Michael Crawford Gina Tobin Brad Scheiner Hernan Mujica Shane Broadway Kathleen (Kathy) Widmer

sweetgreen journey towards going public in November 2021 at a valuation of $6 billion was fueled by its rapid expansion and strong brand awareness despite limited unit count, with just 150 units by year-end 2021. However, profitability remained a challenge. Through strategic measures like focusing on quality over quantity in new sites and introducing innovations like the automated "Infinite Kitchen" and "sweetlane" drive-thru, Sweetgreen aimed to overcome this hurdle. In Q1 of the following year, Sweetgreen reported impressive financial results, including revenue growth and improved restaurant-level margins. The company's expansion into new markets and the success of initiatives like the Infinite Kitchen further bolstered its growth trajectory, paving the way for continued expansion and innovation in the coming years. As fast-casual spots are looking further into automation to bolster sales and expansion Branded Hospitality Ventures is proud to have portfolio companies and friends at the forefront of this industry trend Ripples QSR Automations PourMyBev Incentivio meez Bite Read More Here: https://bit.ly/3WOvbm3 #Restaurants #Hospitality #Technology #Business #Innovation #AI #investing #SocialMedia Nathaniel Ru Jonathan Neman Nicolas Jammet Andy Cooper Doug Baker Larry Berger Krista Preble Ashley Sheppard Angela Leet

Very well done and right on point, Alicia Kelso as usual. I've been thinking about the standout brands--the Chipotle's, the Dutch Bros, the CAVA's and the handful of others that we have seen in this quarter and the last several. It seems to be these brands are viewed by their guests as "cool". Cool guests attract more guests and crew members (look at the line at CAVA at 900p)....that drives the store economics that drives the best real estate interest and best locations and deals. That then drives Wall Street interest, IPOs and valuation. That then partially at least drives great executives, great compensation programs and creation of the best "reward cultures" So as always, everything relates to everything else, but the coolness factor is very important in our business. What to do? Clearly we in the industry need to devote much more time studying the DNA and operations/culture/store economics of the standouts. Clearly we are all not a Chipotle. But there are common lessons learnable.

sweetgreen journey towards going public in November 2021 at a valuation of $6 billion was fueled by its rapid expansion and strong brand awareness despite limited unit count, with just 150 units by year-end 2021. However, profitability remained a challenge. Through strategic measures like focusing on quality over quantity in new sites and introducing innovations like the automated "Infinite Kitchen" and "sweetlane" drive-thru, Sweetgreen aimed to overcome this hurdle. In Q1 of the following year, Sweetgreen reported impressive financial results, including revenue growth and improved restaurant-level margins. The company's expansion into new markets and the success of initiatives like the Infinite Kitchen further bolstered its growth trajectory, paving the way for continued expansion and innovation in the coming years. As fast-casual spots are looking further into automation to bolster sales and expansion Branded Hospitality Ventures is proud to have portfolio companies and friends at the forefront of this industry trend Ripples QSR Automations Ecolab Read More Here: https://bit.ly/3WOvbm3 #Restaurants #Hospitality #Technology #Business #Innovation #AI #investing #SocialMedia Nathaniel Ru Jonathan Neman Nicolas Jammet Andy Cooper Doug Baker Larry Berger Krista Preble Ashley Sheppard Angela Leet

The stakes for mid-market & #EnterpriseRestaurants have never been higher. Who should you trust to help Own The Guest Experience"? Get your brand right, and it's worth Billion$...get it wrong and: "One Table Restaurant Brands follows many other restaurant companies that have declared bankruptcy in 2024, most notably, Red Lobster, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, Rubio’s, and Tijuana Flats. Other smaller concepts and franchisees that filed for bankruptcy in the first half of 2024 include Party Fowl, Boxer Ramen, Sticky Fingers, Oberweis Dairy, Foxtrot/Dom’s Kitchen, Melt Bar & Grilled, Kuma’s Corner, Subway’s River Sub LLC and Arby’s Miracle Restaurant Group." #owntheexperience #platform #partnership #integration #data #pos #ncr #ncrvoyix #aloha #alohacloud #consumermarketing #services #support #growth #profitability